Ernie Ball Music Man Updates StingRay Bass for 2018

Ernie Ball Music Man’s StingRay has been a time-tested model for decades, but both the four and five-string versions will be getting an update for 2018. The company made the announcement at the Winter NAMM Show.

“For 2018, the StingRay4 and StingRay5 have been reimagined with new features and appointments that provide a new level of playing comfort while retaining that revered iconic StingRay sound,” they write. That list of improvements includes an enhanced body contour and sculpted neck joint for improved comfort and fret access, a streamlined bridge, and lightweight hardware. They’ve also updated the electronics with neodymium magnets in the pickups for higher output as well as a new 18-volt 3-band EQ.